Mets agree to trade R.A. Dickey to Toronto; pitcher has until Tuesday to negotiate deal with Blue Jays

R.A. Dickey has a 72-hour window to reach a contract extension with Toronto. William Perlman/The Star-Ledger

The latest step in Sandy Alderson’s plan to rebuild the Mets hinges on contract talks between R.A. Dickey and the Toronto Blue Jays.

The two sides entered into a 72-hour negotiating window this afternoon, according to a Fox Sports report. Once Dickey agrees to an extension with the Blue Jays, the Mets will acquire top catching prospect Travis d’Arnaud and top pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard as part of potential seven-player deal, according to people with knowledge of the discussions. The people requested anonymity because no deal was official until Dickey signed.

The deadline is 2 p.m. Tuesday. In the proposed trade, Mets catcher Josh Thole and a prospect would head to Toronto in exchange for Blue Jays catcher John Buck and another prospect. Neither of the prospects is likely to be an elite talent.

If the deal comes through, the Mets general manager’s blueprint will inch closer into public view. The team has always considered 2014 as its best realistic hope for contention. The Mets now appear geared for another rough campaign in 2013. Trading the reigning Cy Young Award winner hinders the team in the present. But the future does appear a tad brighter, with d’Arnaud and Synergaard joining a potential core group of players like Matt Harvey, Jon Niese, Ike Davis and, of course, David Wright.

For now, the situation mirrors one the Mets underwent in February 2008. After acquiring Johan Santana from Minnesota, the team had a 72-hour window to strike a deal. They agreed on a six-year, $137.5 million contract.

The sums here will not be nearly as lofty. While negotiating with the Mets, Dickey sought a two-year, $26 million extension tacked onto his $5 million option for 2013, according to people with knowledge of the talks. The Mets countered with a two-year extension worth $20 million.

Toronto is expected to be willing to meet Dickey’s price. The price for starting pitching is considered high these days. The Dodgers paid $147 million for Zack Greinke. The Tigers paid $80 million for Anibal Sanchez, a No. 3 starter. The Royals dealt away their top prospect, Wil Myers, for two seasons of Rays stalwart James Shields. In that vein, Dickey resembles a bargain, even if rival executives believe the Blue Jays paid a steep price to acquire him.

Rival executives rave about the potential of d’Arnaud, 23. He projects as a useful hitter in the middle of the order, with quality skills behind the plate. One talent evaluator praised his athleticism. Another cited his mental toughness. He popped 16 homers and 21 doubles in 67 games with Triple-A Las Vegas last season.

D’Arnaud tore his posterior cruciate ligament last June and missed the rest of the season. But he has recovered without incident, and passed his physical for this deal, according to a person with knowledge of the examination. The person requested anonymity because the deal had not been finalized.

Syndergaard, a 19-year-old right-hander, still requires much refinement. He completed his first full season in 2012, and the results were promising. Syndergaard struck out 10.6 batters per nine innings in the Class-A Midwest League, with a 2.60 ERA and a 3.94 strikeout-to-walk ratio. League officials believe he could become a No. 2 starter in the majors — if he reaches his ceiling.